Carousel

Affiliated to the National Operatic

and Dramatic Association

Web Design by Rolling Comet Productions

Carousel - 2011

In a town on the New England coast around 1880, Mrs Mullin's Carousel is the main feature of the amusement park. The 'barker', Billy Bigelow, shouts to everyone to come ride on the carousel, especially the pretty girls, but this annoys Mrs Mullin who herself, now a middle-aged widow, finds Billy attractive. Mrs Mullin tries to 'warn off' Julie Jordan and her friend Carrie Pipperidge but this infuriates Billy and he gets himself fired. Julie stays out late with Billy, despite warnings from her employer, Mr Bascombe, that she too will lose her job. Bound by adversity, and the beginnings of love, Billy and Julie marry and live with Julie's cousin Nettie Fowler at her water-front Spa. With no money or work, Billy's discontent grows and he makes Julie the butt of his ill-humour, even to the extent of striking her. He takes up with Jigger Craigin, a sailor of ill-repute, who tries to inveigle him into crime but Billy is nervous when Jigger insists that they carry knives. Meanwhile, Carrie becomes engaged to Enoch Snow, an industrious but rather earnest fisherman who has ambitions to own a fleet of boats and a sardine cannery. The story shows us the warmth and lifestyle of this close-knit community of fishermen, mill workers and housewives. In the hope of tempting Billy back to the carousel, Mrs Mullin visits the Spa, but her efforts are to no avail when Billy learns he is to become a father. This news is the “tipping point” for Billy who wants “the best that money can buy” for any child of his. He is prepared to “go out and make it or steal it or take it, or die”. This leads Billy back into the company of Jigger and they decide to use the local clambake and treasure hunt as an alibi whilst they rob Mr Bascombe the mill owner. Billy and Jigger's plans go horribly wrong and end in tragedy. The scenes that follow are set in an unearthly world where time plays tricks on you and the impossible may, in fact, be possible after all. We are given a glimpse of the future where people have the opportunity to put right some of the wrongs they have done. The audience witnesses a Prize-Giving ceremony where maybe, just maybe, they can feel the presence of those who have gone and know that they loved us.

Producer’s Notes

Carousel” was written in 1945 and was adapted from Molnar's 1909 play “Liliom”. It was one of the first musicals to contain a tragic plot and was described by Richard Rodgers, who wrote the music, as his favourite. Oscar Hammerstein II, who wrote the book and lyrics, broke new ground by exploring social class, domestic violence, and emotional pain. Having been Producer for both “Oklahoma!” and now “Carousel”, I find it interesting to note Stephen Sondheim's comment that “whilst “Oklahoma!” was about a picnic, “Carousel” was about life and death”. We cannot escape, in my view, the enduring metaphors of the fairground and carousel for life's ups and downs and twists of fate. Neither can we fail to see this in the turbulence of the sea, and in the workings of the looms in the mill. Whilst I feel “You'll Never walk Alone” is a strong message we should take away from the show, stronger still is the evocation not to let our “golden chances” pass us by. But, before we take things too seriously, let's remember that this is just a darn good story with some fantastic musical numbers – laugh, cry, and enjoy! - Pat Edwards

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The Cast

Ladies Chorus

Diane Butler, Pat Edwards, Megan Evans, Wendy Evans, Fiona Jones,
Jo Lawson, Jane Rasquinha, Eileen Skilton, Marlene Smart,
Julia Watts, Sian Williams, Sue Williams,